Sports complex in Palm Coast future plan

Capital improvements report also includes aquatic center

Published: Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 8:21 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, March 25, 2013 at 9:09 a.m.

PALM COAST — City officials plan to build a $22-million sports complex and an $11-million aquatic center before they ever give a green light to building a city hall.

Based on the city's 10-year capital improvements program, which will be presented to the City Council during a workshop Tuesday, there is the expectation that the sports complex and aquatic center would be built sometime after 2023.

The 12-page plan includes a page for general government projects. Line items are listed for a city hall, a public works facility, an alternative fuel depot, a traffic operations center and some land acquisition related to habitat preservation.

City officials, based on the report, do not intend to spend a dime on any of those projects during the next decade.

In addition to the sports complex and aquatic center, officials also want to construct a $13-million cultural arts center sometime after 2023.

"We have an infrastructure team and this is the first time they've looked 10 years out," said Palm Coast spokeswoman Cindi Brownfield.

She said the 10-year plan is not something that will go before council members for a vote. It's meant to give them an understanding of what kind of infrastructure improvements city officials hope to make during the next decade.

"This is basically a tool for budgeting, a tool for the City Council as we approach the budget season," said Brownfield.

Included in the 10-year plan is an array of transportation projects, including the coming Palm Coast Parkway expansion. That project, which will expand the bridge that stretches over Interstate 95 from four to six lanes, will cost more than $7 million in fiscal 2014 and another $3.6 million the following fiscal year.

Additionally, the Palm Harbor extension is predicted to cost $2.9 million during the next three years.

Other transportation projects included in the 10-year plan are sidewalk and bicycle path enhancements and beautification projects, each costing anywhere from $10,000 to $200,000.

"We're not expecting any significant increases in revenues," said Brownfield. "While (residents) want the city to continue to progress, they don't want to have large tax increases. We're being very careful when we budget to not go beyond what we have now."

Tuesday's workshop is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the City Council conference room, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite B-106.

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information about the timing of construction of an aquatic center, sports complex and cultural arts center in Palm Coast.

<p>PALM COAST &mdash; City officials plan to build a $22-million sports complex and an $11-million aquatic center before they ever give a green light to building a city hall. </p><p>Based on the city's 10-year capital improvements program, which will be presented to the City Council during a workshop Tuesday, there is the expectation that the sports complex and aquatic center would be built sometime after 2023. </p><p>The 12-page plan includes a page for general government projects. Line items are listed for a city hall, a public works facility, an alternative fuel depot, a traffic operations center and some land acquisition related to habitat preservation. </p><p>City officials, based on the report, do not intend to spend a dime on any of those projects during the next decade. </p><p>In addition to the sports complex and aquatic center, officials also want to construct a $13-million cultural arts center sometime after 2023. </p><p>"We have an infrastructure team and this is the first time they've looked 10 years out," said Palm Coast spokeswoman Cindi Brownfield. </p><p>She said the 10-year plan is not something that will go before council members for a vote. It's meant to give them an understanding of what kind of infrastructure improvements city officials hope to make during the next decade. </p><p>"This is basically a tool for budgeting, a tool for the City Council as we approach the budget season," said Brownfield. </p><p>Included in the 10-year plan is an array of transportation projects, including the coming Palm Coast Parkway expansion. That project, which will expand the bridge that stretches over Interstate 95 from four to six lanes, will cost more than $7 million in fiscal 2014 and another $3.6 million the following fiscal year. </p><p>Additionally, the Palm Harbor extension is predicted to cost $2.9 million during the next three years. </p><p>Other transportation projects included in the 10-year plan are sidewalk and bicycle path enhancements and beautification projects, each costing anywhere from $10,000 to $200,000. </p><p>"We're not expecting any significant increases in revenues," said Brownfield. "While (residents) want the city to continue to progress, they don't want to have large tax increases. We're being very careful when we budget to not go beyond what we have now." </p><p>Tuesday's workshop is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the City Council conference room, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite B-106.</p><p>EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information about the timing of construction of an aquatic center, sports complex and cultural arts center in Palm Coast.</p>